Statement attributable to:
Bruce A. Scott, M.D.
President, American Medical Association
“The House GOP Doctors Caucus recognizes that the current path forward for physicians—especially those serving rural and underserved communities—is unsustainable and explains its strong support for H.R. 879, the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act. This bipartisan legislation would stop the 2.83% cut physician practices suffered at the start of this year—the fifth straight year of cuts. It also would provide a 2% payment update to help offset the rising costs of running a practice.
“You don’t have to be a physician to understand the threat to access for Medicare patients these continued cuts pose. But those of us on the front lines caring for patients see it every day. We commend the caucus for its endorsement and urge all patients and physicians concerned about access to contact their lawmakers before the March 14 deadline for the continuing resolution. Since its introduction, the bill has picked up support, and everyone in medicine is urging Congress to include this bill in the next spending package. There are now 99 bipartisan cosponsors.
“If Congress were comprised solely of physicians, this would be easy. But only a handful of lawmakers have practiced medicine, and now they are taking the lead on this issue. We hope the rest of Congress will follow.”
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About the American Medical Association
The American Medical Association is the physicians’ powerful ally in patient care. As the only medical association that convenes 190+ state and specialty medical societies and other critical stakeholders, the AMA represents physicians with a unified voice to all key players in health care. The AMA leverages its strength by removing the obstacles that interfere with patient care, leading the charge to prevent chronic disease and confront public health crises and, driving the future of medicine to tackle the biggest challenges in health care.
